How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

I am planning to add a North/South running wall next to a building.

I don't want to assume that the building is square, therefore I do not want to use the existing East/West running wall as my reference.

The new wall will also run North/South and I want it to be in perfect alignment with the existing wall. The new wall will be about 20 feet long.

I have considered using a chalkline to make the line for the new wall, but I am concerned about a lack of precision using that method. I have a similar concern about using a laser and trying to shoot it along the wall by eye.

What other methods might one employ?

I have considered some fancy triangulation, but the layout of the structure introduces some obstacles with that.

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How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

Without trying to sound critical, I guess that I don't understand your issue.

Per your post, your major concern seems to be that the new wall will be parallel to the existing wall. As said before, that layout is pretty easy. On the other hand, if the wall that were using to lay out to is not square to some property line, then you have the choice of making your wall parallel to the exit wall (and therein not plumb to whatever your control is) or making it parallel to the property line and therein not parallel to the existing wall. The real question is: What are you trying to accomplish?

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How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

I don't understand why you would even consider using an east/west as a reference point for building a north/south wall that is going to parallel and existing north/south wall.

So either I don't understand what you are trying to do or the answer is too simple...

Go to one corner of the building and measure the distance off for the new wall. Drive a stake into the ground at the desired distance. Go to the other side of the building and do the same thing. Now run a string between your two reference points and thats the spot for your wall.

How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

Thank you for the ideas.

For clarification, my goal was to extend an existing wall. The final product is to be completely straight so that it looks like the wall was built to that length in the first place.

I really liked the builder's transit idea, but ended up using a laser because I own one and would need a week or so to borrow a transit.

I did my best to split the laser dot in half. Half of the laser beam at the near corner of the building and the other half at the far corner of the building so that the laser beam was as close to the building as possible. (Thereby confirming a line that is inline with the existing wall)

The laser revealed some places where the existing wall bows in and outward so I had to decide on the best reference points.

I made stake marks along the laser beam.

Actually, I marked on the wall plates because this is a support beam going into place on a 2nd story room addition.

How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

How to place a new wall in a continuous mathematical alignment with existing wall

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooKooDooKu

I don't understand why you would even consider using an east/west as a reference point for building a north/south wall that is going to parallel and existing north/south wall.

So either I don't understand what you are trying to do or the answer is too simple...

Go to one corner of the building and measure the distance off for the new wall. Drive a stake into the ground at the desired distance. Go to the other side of the building and do the same thing. Now run a string between your two reference points and thats the spot for your wall.

That's exactly my thought...lol.

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